Process of making waterproof fabrics



Patented Aug. 18, 19250 UNITED ST TES ARTHUR H. PENFIELD, on NEW YORK, 1v. Y.

PROCESS OF MAKING- WATERPROOF FABRICS.

No Drawing. Application filed-April 3,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR H. PENFIELD, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes of Making Waterproof Fabrics, of which the following is a specification,

The invention relates to a waterproofing or repellent fabric and the process of producing the same. v

In waterproofing fabrics, it has heretofore been the general custom to first weave or form a fabric and thereafter apply waterproofing chemicals, oils, or waxes to the same. The application of a waterproofing solution to. the formed fabric frequently results in a shrinking thereof and change in weight, color, and appearance. as well as a tearing when subjected to such treatments. The present invention comprises a process of producing a waterproof or repellent fabric wherein the yarns,-strands, or threads are first subjected to a waterproof or water repellent treatment, and then. when so treated, woven into the desired fabric containing certain definite qualities. The application of the waterproofing material to the strands prior to the weaving thereof permits a fabric to be formed which has certain determined qualifications, so that the fabric will not shrink, change in color, shade, or the like, or be subjected to destruction-of alignment and other hazards which are encountered when a completed fabric is Waterproofed.

In carrying out my process various solutions may be used for waterproofing the strands, threads, or yarns, and for the purpose of illustrating a convenient way of carrying out the invention, I will describe'herein a process which T have found to be quite satisfactory and is illustrative of many others.

The threads, strands, or yarns are first placed in a soap solution containing any goodp industrial soap, thecontent of which is a out 65% fatty acids, 8% soda, and 27% water. This washing serves to remove or eliminate impurities and natural oils A quantity from the raw stocks or yarns. of water can, of course, be mixed with the son solution, forming a most convenient waingmixture. The yarns or threads are then introduced to a tankc'ontaining a waterproofing solution in which they are im- 1923. Serial No. 629,722.

mersed. This waterproofing solution may, 'of course, vary and be composed of various ingredients, but I preferably use an alumina sulphate in eight times its weight of water. This solution may contain a soluble salt of a metal which is formed with stearate ora similar acid and water insoluble salt followed by potassium stearate or similar salt. The yarns are allowed to remain therein until they have become saturated with this solution, whereupon they are passed through a wrmger to squeeze the solution therefrom and partially dry the raw stock. While in this solution the vapors are subjected to the action of an electric current. This current s'passed to the fibers while they are being impregnated and the eifect'may be accomplished by introducing to the solution a pair of electrodes, or other means may be used for admitting currentto the saturating substances. The electricity serves to assist in thoroughly impregnating the strands. I may then again subject the raw yarn to a further immersion in the waterfibrous proofing solution, after which it is passed through a wringer and then goes to a dry- 111g room where it is subjected to a temperature of from 160 degs. F. to 180 degs. F. The strands or yarns are allowed to hang in the drying room until they are completely dried, and any type of drying apparatus may be employed for accomplishing these en s.

The strands or yarn is then suitably woven into a fabric of any desired weave, and the fabric thus produced is, of course, a waterproof or water repellent one. It contains certain definite qualities and need not be subjected to a further water proofing treatment which might destroy the color thereof or even destroy the fabric itself. Any type of weaving apparatus can be em ployed, as the strands or fabrics do not new terially change in weight or structure by reaspp of the waterproofing treatment, and can v e easily and conveniently woven into any fabric.

ltn the foregoing description, I have merely given an illustration of one manner of successfully waterproofing the strands before forming them into a fabric. It will be clearly ,appreciated that various waterproofing solutions can be used for this purpose, and my invention contemplates the use of any such solutions, covering broadly the proofing solution before the Weaving of said. strands into a fabric.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim is: Y

A process of producing a Water repellent fabric, consisting in subjecting individual strands thereof to a soap solution, Washing such strands to eliminate impurities and oils therefrom, then introducing w said strands into a Waterproofing solution of alumina so." hate in Water, passing on also irio current Unrough such solution and fibers While they are being impregnated, then wringing said strands to free them of the surplus solution; drying the strands in a temperature of 160 to 180 degrees F, and thereafter Weaving such individual water-- proof strands into a fabric.

In tes aimony whereof I afifix my signature.

A. H. PENFIELD. 

